Works vs. Fruit
October 15, 2000
Dear Friends:
In Galatians 5, we have two groups of characteristics of two very different classes of people. These characteristics are termed the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. The former groups includes the following as translated in the New International Version of the Bible: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies. For those who wish to partake in these activities, the Apostle Paul states clearly “I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The fruit of the spirit includes the following characteristics: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Implied, but not stated, is that those who practice these characteristics WILL inherit the Kingdom of God.
I think there are a couple of interesting points to be made about these two groups of characteristics and the people who practice them.
First, the works of the flesh are for the most part specific deeds. In other words, you can site when someone is drunk or in a fit of rage. On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit are things that are much harder to specify as deeds. They are more principles than deeds although there is no doubt they have a tremendous influence on our actions. Perhaps the reason for this is to make us put down our proverbial “scorecards” on our good deeds and bad deeds and focus on building Christ-like characters.
The second thing that I think bears mentioning is the apparent disconnect in severity of some of the works of the flesh and the punishment. We might think of orgies, adultery or witchcraft (the actual Greek word implies drug use – it is the word pharmakeia from which we get our English word pharmacy) as being more deserving of the penalty than factions, hatred or jealousy. However, the results are the same – no Kingdom. This might give us some indication of how we need to change our views on “lesser” sins.
Finally, possibly the most important lesson that can come from these verses is the fact that we will not overcome the flesh with the works of the flesh. It is impossible. God is not the author of confusion. He does not say that the works of the flesh are ever acceptable.
How often have you seen “religious” people justify the works of the flesh in the name of God? Hatred, fits of rage, discord, dissensions, selfish ambition and factions are held up as acceptable because they are “contending for the faith” or “upholding the truth.” The ONLY way to contend for the faith in a Godly fashion is to do so through the fruit of the spirit. If anyone tries to tell you differently, they are a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If it looks, feels and acts like a work of the flesh, it probably is.
Paul finishes his remarks on the works of the flesh and fruit of the spirit much better than anything I can say, so I will leave you with this. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Have a fruitful week!
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